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by Sandy Shaw
How well does our faith help us handle difficulties, problems, and challenges? The world is facing issues, many of which were unknown only three months ago.
Turn to the book of James – may these words help us. “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations. Greetings!”
Who is James? He is the half brother of Jesus – the son of Mary and Joseph – and yet, James does not pull rank or parade his pedigree – the half brother of Jesus, who could have said so much about standing and status.
This opening is an under-statement – as he describes himself as a servant.
When all kinds of trials crowd into our lives, do not resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realise they come to test your faith, and to produce in you the quality of endurance.
Let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will become a person of mature character and integrity with no weak spots.
The opening words of James’ letter speak about the TESTING of our faith – we are tested to see if we have the genuine article.
We live in the world not as God created it – but the world as sin marred and spoiled it – this fallen world – which experiences pain and sickness – and war and bloodshed – distress and tears and violence and anguish – all this is the fruit of sin. We are not separated from it, nor insulated in it.
It is good to have a firm grasp of that reality.
Problems and difficulties are inevitable. “Count it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds”
Not IF – but WHEN – Jesus said you will have trouble and problems in the world – nobody is immune or isolated or exempt from problems.
Problems and difficulties vary - they are not all the same!
They come in all shapes and sizes – they vary in intensity and frequency.
Problems are unpredictable – they come unexpectedly. We might want to say – “Surely not now! I don’t need this!” They can appear to be intruders.
Problems have a purpose - Realise that they come TO PRODUCE in you and develop perseverance.
God knows what He is doing. God is working towards the finished product – developing growth – producing maturity.
Problems test my faith – they are not barriers to our Christian progress.
They can indicate the way ahead – as we gradually become stronger, like a muscle being strengthened by a weight.
TEST is the word for refining metals – such trials are growth points – the impurities are burned off – and you are left with the pure gold or silver.
It is like the teabag in boiling water – you see what people are made of when they are in hot water.
Or, the toothpaste tube – when you squeeze it – when the pressure is on – whatever is in the tube will come out – love, joy, peace – or anger, rage, bitterness, criticism – whatever is within will come out – when under pressure.
These Christians continued and completed what God had called them to do in Christ Jesus.
Yes, problems have a purpose - problems help develop endurance – resilience – that ability to bounce back.
There was an intoxicated man on a Glasgow bus one night. A young Christian sitting nearby was having doubts about his faith. The ticket collector came and the intoxicated man held out his fare saying – “All the way!” That young Christian decided that night to go “All the way!” with God – he is now in his 90’s, having been as faithful to God as he knows how.
Everybody has problems – sickness – pressures – disappointments.
We do not learn these lessons in a Seminar – or from a Textbook.
There are things we have to go through – they have a purpose – they help us learn endurance – “the testing of your faith develops perseverance”.
“Lord God Almighty – when tests appear – when persecution raises its head – when all of a sudden the cross feels heavier – help us. Teach us – may we see clearly that from early days the Church of Jesus Christ has had to face various types of animosity and hatred and worse. As we thank You for the teaching of the Bible, we intercede for those who are finding discipleship difficult and challenging – in Jesus name.” Amen
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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